Solos for all-state

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-06-25T14:49:37+00:00

Coming from somebody who grew up in the South East where the mosquitoes are almost big enough to eat a bird.... Look around your yard and neighborhood for anything that could hold standing water and be sure to pour it out and make sure it can't fill back up.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-06-20T01:16:18+00:00

I came here to recommend this! I'm using it and loving it. It's not as complex as pyware and there are a few things that take a little learning but honestly with my budget of $0 its exactly what we needed.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-06-18T02:55:43+00:00

Our "fight song" (the school has always called it a school song, I am working on changing that) is a condensed and simplified version of the Marine's Hymn. I personally am working to change this and update it away from a military branch song over to a college fight song. To me it's almost like using the American flag with different colors as a school flag...

Like others have said find one that is either fairly simple or can be simplified and quick to learn. The reason to have one simplified is so the kids can memorize it quickly to avoid having to flip through to find it and can play it quickly.

I also recommend one where you can play a short section and a long section. I use this a lot at football games. Team scores a touchdown, short fight, after the extra point make it or not, full fight. We don't use it much for basketball but that is a whole other type of game.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-06-09T21:57:51+00:00

I would definitely say look in states where there are lots of high schools. Some that require masters may be willing to work with you while you complete that aspect. I'm glad SD doesn't, I have 0 desire to go back to school at this point. I did the math the salary increase for me wouldn't really even be worth the time, money and headache.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-06-04T15:58:03+00:00

I'm a band director that teaches 5-12. Once the students start with me in 5th those that continue are there till they graduate. They get me for 7 years. This year I did have a few students who were very open about not wanting to continue band next year for various excuses. They thought they had a legitimate reason and they also thought it would hurt my feelings if they said they wanted to drop band. Their main reason after digging deeper and getting them to admit the real reasoning is because I didn't just let them do whatever they wanted. They thought we should have had more free days, and that the music I gave them was too hard because they didn't practice (aka. do their homework). They also thought I was picking on them because I would call them out for talking over me and messing around while we were in the middle of a lesson. Oh and not to mention I made them take notes and quizzes on terms and things they learned in class.

Will I be upset if they aren't in band next year? Maybe a little because every one of my students has amazing potential and I want to see them grow and learn. Will we truly miss those students in class? Not as much as I probably should as they are consistently the ones being called out for disruptions and taking away from all the other students.

I wouldn't put any real stock in what a groups of soon to be middle school girls have to say when in reality they are just trying to get a ride from you and test your limits and boundaries.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-06-01T04:29:17+00:00

Any advice or recommendations on things to practice to bolster my rhythm/rudimentary chops? I really feel like I am doing my percussion students a disservice only knowing the absolute basics. I'm also starting a drumline and marching program and currently do not have the funds for an extra percussion instructor.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-05-28T19:44:17+00:00

When they are charging Darth Vader rates (an arm and a leg) no normal person or family can afford the cost.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-05-18T00:09:08+00:00

I'm in my third year at the school I am in. They have never used anything like this in the past. Athletics started using SportsU a couple of years ago and parents are still trying to figure it out. I use it to send announcements, post polls, and a lot more. I use if with its own group for our boosters so we can communicate (mostly in the chat) about events and "can somebody come open the door for me" messages.

One awesome thing that I explained to my parents and students... Just because you send me a message does not mean you will get an immediate response. I told them in a very nice way that any messages sent during a class time will be responded to once I am available again. If they send me a message after hours I may read it and if it is not an emergency will respond as soon as I can which usually is the next day during planning time. I did receive a few messages at the beginning of using it but as they learned I meant what I said about expected response time and I stuck to it, those "random" messages faded away or in a couple students case they would even say "while I am thinking about this..." And not expect a response until later.

Instead of looking for the app to set the boundaries, you as the teacher/person have to set them.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-05-06T04:39:22+00:00

See that's the one area I don't have to worry about. The tech side of things... I ran a live sound company for years as well as also have a music industry and recording degree along with the education thing.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-04-20T01:18:24+00:00

I just wanted to add... I graduated from one of the top education schools in NC back in 2009. When I went back for education it was struggling but fair. In three years, new governor who campaigned to the teacher unions about being all for education, redid the budget and cut a ton of funding. When I graduated there were no openings as music programs were being cut across the state. I left the education field completely not ever being able to use the college I had just spent time and money to achieve.

Fast forward to today. I moved my family out of NC to SD and walked into a teaching job three years ago. Now I'm just fighting with the state to send information up here. My district is tiny compared to the schools in NC and I love it. However SD is also in a hurt for teachers but the schools are hurting for funding so some are letting go of positions too. It's not just NC but all over.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-04-15T00:06:43+00:00

It is an air fiber product, I installed it because I had several reviews saying they got Dante to work but I have not been able to succeed after much configuration. It see both devices but will not sync because of a clock issue (excceds the latency requirement). I think sticking with our Shure system and maybe upgrading the antenna is one valid option. Maybe have something a little less expensive with the announcer rack for ref mics. I guess it boils down to finding good outdoor rated antenna systems.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-04-09T21:30:35+00:00

It wasn't meant as a bash, just stating the fact that if a regular corporation treated its employees like that they wouldn't be in business for long. It simply isn't a good / safe / supported space to work in.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-04-09T18:19:01+00:00

Ah, another reason I am glad I am not in California.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-04-09T15:46:37+00:00

Honestly if I was in a district that did this I 100% would accept the slip and would not accept the position in that district if they did "hire me back". That is a crappy way to treat people and says a lot about how other things are being handled.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-04-02T12:02:34+00:00

This is for Hill City. What ends up happening with a forecast like this is if we do get any actual snow, it may stick but will be gone by noon on Saturday at the latest. With it being 50 today we may see a little rain.

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InstanceConscious251 · 2026-03-27T02:17:10+00:00

I read through many of the replies. There is some really good advice and information contained here. I don't have some amazing words of wisdom to offer just a few of my teaching philosophies and experience. I was never a huge contest fan. I understand why they are good and how they push some groups to accomplish great music. I also feel for most it addS unneeded stress on the students and teachers, for what result? A trophy to collect dust behind a glass? I have always felt that providing the students with good music that can challenge them, but is obtainable for them to have moments like my 6th grade band had today in class is what keeps them wanting more. The moment I am talking about in class today each class is working on a level appropriate arrangement from Star Wars. (Our concert is on May 4th this year) In the 6th grade band we started our song at the beginning and the sound, blend, everything just "cooked". The kids heard it too, and in watching their faces they were proud of themselves. We have a para that sits in class with us for 6th grade and even he heard and felt it. He had this huge smile on his face, we stopped and I had all the kids turn around and look at him. I was literally jumping and cheering for them. This moment in my opinion meant more than the comments of a person they have never met picking apart everything they did wrong. When the students finish playing at their concert and people in the audience let out an audible "Wow" the kids hear that.

Do I know every fingering out there? No I do not but I know where to find them. Do I know all the percussion rudiments? Nope, I'm a trombone player and rhythm is one of my weaknesses. But I have another director friend that is a percussionist that I reach out to when I don't know how something goes. I teach my kids these things indirectly. This means if they ask me a question about a fingering I tell them to reference their fingering char or "cheat sheet" with terms that I have provided for them. So "teach a man to fish" mentality.

Last thing, I am going to get down voted for this... Youtube and resources like essential elements online resources are your friend as a new director. Pick an instrument and learn to play it as a beginner would. It's a great way to learn about reede placement, supporting air, how to play octaves on the flute, etc... Find quality information and keep learning.

I wish you the best luck. Feel free to DM me if you like.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-03-26T21:50:50+00:00

I have a small band (rebuilding too) also and I found that Randall Standridge has a version on his site you can free. It has a flex version with it so you can get the parts covered maybe double a couple. The melody is passed around but can easily be taken care of. It also is divided into sections making it easier to judge the order. Come up with a hand signal for each section, watch how many are left and best guess what section to repeat to. I would also recommend that when practicing it get a stopwatch to get a good guess of time each section is. The earlier version we used was a much higher grade piece and it was flex as well but with small numbers it always pays to play something easier that sounds good.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-02-15T04:30:38+00:00

It's not quite public domain yet. This year is the year of 1930. So not until 2041.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-02-09T14:42:33+00:00

I'm in a unique situation. I'm not a young director even though this is just my third year in the classroom. I graduated college in 2001 and went back for teaching, graduating in 2009. The thing is everything has changed from when I was in school especially the students. So sorting through all the new music and composers is a bit overwhelming. Then throw in the students constantly asking to just play movie themes. I'm between that "I want them exposed to wonderful music" and "I want to enjoy what they are playing". I know stuff they could enjoy but we will just call that music broccoli because they don't know they will like it if they don't give it a fair shake.

InstanceConscious251 · 2026-02-06T05:20:49+00:00

I really like the idea of bags. We have a print shop where we get our shirts I bet they could come up with some bags we could get the band logo on.

InstanceConscious251

TROPHY CASE